Overview & Reviews

A relative newcomer to the American marketplace, Hyundai is a Korean automaker with a product line that has improved greatly over the past decade. Hyundai cars and SUVs provide a high level of content for an affordable price, and are currently backed by one of the industry's longest warranties.

In 1947, Chung Ju Yung founded the Hyundai Civil Engineering Company. Mere months later, the outfit was bombed in the Korean War. However, the company regained its footing to distinguish itself as one of Korea's leading construction enterprises during the 1950s.

By the late 1960s, Chung had turned his attention to the automobile industry. The Korean government at that time believed that it made more sense to import vehicles than produce them domestically, and had made its opinion known. Still, Chung opted to follow his own convictions, and in 1967, he founded the Hyundai Motor Company.

The company quickly established an alliance with one of the industry's oldest automakers, signing a two-year contract with Ford in 1968 to share assembly technology. Hyundai's first car, the Cortina, was created from that partnership. The manufacturer's first car to be designed and built in Korea was the compact Pony (although the car was based on Japanese technology courtesy of Mitsubishi). The vehicle made its debut in 1974, and the following year Hyundai began exporting it to overseas markets.

Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the introduction of its subcompact Excel. The car was an immediate hit, with its supreme affordability being a primary selling point. More than 100,000 Excels were sold stateside in the first seven months. By 1988, Hyundai had begun to produce cars using its own technology. The midsize Sonata was the first fruit borne of this endeavor.

Unfortunately, Hyundai's nascent image was soon tarnished by the poor durability and reliability of its vehicles. Sales tanked. However, rather than abandon the American market in the '90s, Hyundai chose to invest heavily in new product designs and improvements in overall quality and reliability. In 1998, Hyundai also purchased Kia, another Korean automaker, to expand its business and economies of scale.

It all started to pay off by the start of the new millennium, with the 2001 Elantra in particular showing massive improvements in overall quality, reliability and performance. Other models followed suit and the desirability of Hyundai cars increased sharply. Providing an extraordinarily long warranty period didn't hurt either.

Today's lineup is indicative of Hyundai's complete turnaround. Hyundai has a vehicle for nearly every segment, including the economical Accent subcompact, the popular Elantra compact, the midsize Sonata sedan (also available as a hybrid), sporty Genesis and Veloster coupes and a couple of stylish SUVs. Hyundai has also expanded into the entry-level and premium-level luxury sedan markets with its Genesis and Equus sedans. Having gone from being the butt of late-night TV jokes in the 1980s to a well-respected manufacturer of quality vehicles, Hyundai has created a very inspiring rags-to-riches story.

User Reviews:

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  now on our 2nd great Sante Fe - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Alan - October 2 - 2:23 pm

  Reliable and A GOOD VALUE !!

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  I LOVE THIS CAR - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By LINDA - October 1 - 4:00 pm

  I never knew that a car could be so much fun to drive. I volunteer to drive everywhere now. The pick-up upon accelerating is very quick. I find the seats to be very comfortable. The cargo area is very ample. The safety features on the car make me feel safe and secure. My only complaint would be the gas mileage, it could be better. I would recommend this vehicle to everyone.

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  We love it - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By We love it - October 1 - 1:16 pm

  We bought the LTD instead of the SE because my wife wanted the power liftgate. The ride is the smoothest Ive ever had and my passengers do not fail to notice this. The steering is not sporty but luxurious. To avoid high RPM I come off the stop light at 3500 rpm and at the first shift I increase the pressure on the accelerator and it holds its own but the power is there if you dont mind reving to 4000. The automatic A/C and dimming mirrows are special and the controls on the wheel along with the power liftgate says LTD. but here the topper: We pulled up to a family picnic and my wife said that it felt so good that she didnt feel like getting out. After 32 years, I finally did something R

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  A damn good little car! - 1993 Hyundai Elantra
  By Scottimus - October 1 - 2:00 am

  This was one of the BEST cars I have ever owned! It was VERY reliable and a VERY quick little car. I drove this thing hard and it never quit. If I ever was in the market for another small car, I would definitely look into buying another one of these.

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  My first Hyundai... - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By rocket88 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  In 99 I bought the Accent just for commuting to work. Its got 40,000 miles on it now and Ive had no problems whatsoever. Oh, wait, a headlight went out at 30,000 miles and the wiper blades need replacing. Gets 35mpg at mostly between 75-80. Ive changed the oil 14 times myself and had the dealer do the 15K and the 30K mile service. Even the little 13 inch tires are still servicible, but have always been awful in the rain. Overall I think I got a great deal at $6995 and if the next 40,000 miles are like the first., I might just buy another one.

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  I love my Veloster - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By archangel6k - September 30 - 4:14 am

  I had a Hyundai Accent that was given to me. It was a 98 that I did work on for my daughter. I drove it one day to look at a new one, and saw the Veloster. I didnt know then that I would be buying one in the next few months. I love the Velosters handling on the turns, and the great gas mileage, and the 6 on the floor. Everyone looks at it like its from space, and my teens are proud. I get at least 35mpg and I drive long distances to work. Its not zippy from the start, but it accelerates plenty to get up to speed entering the highway. It also turns only 3500rpms at 95, and I wont say what it can do, cause Ill get arrested.

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  Accent GS: Perfect Town Car - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By cathipb - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Our 2 year old Accent had only one mfg defect which was promptly fixed by the dealership. It handles well, gets great mileage, easy to park, a perfect town car.

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  GREAT 4 DOOR and Feels Like an Accord - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Todd H - September 29 - 9:10 pm

  Rides Smooth and Shifts Smooth---Solid and Nice Fit and Finish---Like the New Front Grill and Inside Blue Night Lights. Has all the features I desire: Cruise, Nice Standard CD/Radio and LOVE the XM radio, power mirrors and windows. Rides Really Quiet and Smooth. My First Hyundai and VERY PLEASED and I have owned Toyota, Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick, Ford, and such. Big Trunk and Big Spacious Backseat. Like the sunglass holder and Ipod Aux jack. My first month has been very pleasurable! Love the warranty and a great car for under $14,000!

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  drove it had to have it - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By t - September 29 - 8:33 pm

  all the sales person had to do was get me behind the wheel, it sold its self. Great power and just fun to drive. Gets a lot of attention since there are not many out yet.

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  I cant believe I own a Hyundai ! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Paul chesney - September 29 - 3:53 am

  My 2011 Sonata. SE is great. The car has every thing I like in a car so great on gas go test drive one today and you will see for yourself. Before you buy do your self a favor check it out first.